THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

G E L C T , A J 22, 2025

G E L C T , A J 22, 2025
Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service.
Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at GraceLutheranSAZ.org
We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises and as you offer him your thanks and praise.
The order of worship we will follow is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. LARGE PRINT worship folders are available at the entrances for those who desire them.
Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship (2021) hymnal. You will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each pew. You will be asked to open the hymnal to participate in parts of the service today. A vocalist will aid in our singing and will be recorded for our audio disks and video live-streaming.
There is no cost to park in our parking lot during Sunday morning worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.
We live in a world where a thousand things are competing for our attention. There is the real danger that we focus on the frivolous and ignore the indispensable. As a result, we often talk about the importance of being “free from distraction.” But the stakes are higher than that. We need to be freed from distraction. We need the spiritual power to give our undivided attention to that which truly makes a difference, not only here and now, but also in eternity. A life focused on all the right things is only possible because of a Savior who is always focuses on us. On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give his followers power and focus. Still today, through his Word, Jesus grants those gifts to his disciples.
We have come to the second half of the Church Year. In the first half, we focused on the life of Christ. In this second half, we turn our attention to all the teachings of Christ. May we give them our undivided attention.
Our worship is following this path:
First Sunday after Pentecost (Holy Trinity)
*Third Sunday after Pentecost
On the Majesty and Mystery of Our God
On Christ’s Call for Commitment
(This Sunday is being taken out of order because Vicar Nordlie is preaching here today).
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
On the Mission Right Before Us
On the Want for Workers
On a Neighbor in Need
On the One Thing Needed
On the Privilege and Purpose of Prayer
On Useful Resources
On Heavenly Treasure
OPENING HYMN Before You I Kneel
Christian Worship 735
PRESERVICE MUSIC:
Glory to God in the Highest Edward Meyer
Carl Ziebell
Jeremy S. Bakken
Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake
John Behnke
David Johnson
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I deserve your punishment both now and forever. But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his innocent suffering and death. Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Silence for meditation and reflection
Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The words of the invocation remind us that the God we meet and worship is the true and triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1 John 1:8-9
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
Christ gave the authority to forgive the sins of penitent sinners to his church: “Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven.” John 20:23
Mark 10:47
Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Luke 2:14
Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin. “Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century.
This song continues on the next page.
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, you have prepared joys beyond understanding for those who love you. Pour into our hearts such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Please be seated
FIRST READING 1 Kings 19:19-21
19So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. Elisha was doing the plowing with twelve teams of oxen in front of him, and he himself was driving the twelfth team. Elijah crossed over to him and threw his cloak over him. 20Then Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah. He said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother good-bye! Then I will follow you.”
Then Elijah said, “Go back! For what have I done to you?”
21So Elisha turned back from following him. Then he took the team of oxen and slaughtered them. Using the equipment from the oxen as fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up, followed Elijah, and served him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Elisha commits himself completely to the work to which the Lord had called him, leaving family and wealth behind.
This hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 62 which is the appointed Psalm for today.
Christ had shown grace to Paul. That grace moved Paul to be committed to Christ, no matter the personal cost.
However bold anyone might be (I am speaking in a foolish way), I am going to be bold too. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s seed? So am I. 23Are they ministers of Christ? (I am speaking in a crazy way.) I am even more. I've done more hard work, been in prisons more often, been whipped far more, and I've been close to death many times. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods. One time I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day on the open sea. 26I have often been on journeys, in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own people, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger on the sea, in danger among false brothers. 27I have worked hard and struggled. I've spent many sleepless nights. I’ve been hungry and thirsty. I’ve gone without food many times. I’ve been cold and lacked clothing.
28Besides those external matters, there is the daily pressure on me of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak without my being weak? Who falls into sin without my being distressed?
30If it is necessary that I boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.
Please stand
Refrain (ALL):
Vocalist: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Refrain (ALL)
GOSPEL
Luke 9:51–62
51When the days were approaching for him to be taken up, Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem. 52He sent messengers ahead of him. They went and entered a Samaritan village to make preparations for him.
53But the people did not welcome him, because he was determined to go to Jerusalem. 54When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
55But he turned and rebuked them. “You don't know what kind of spirit is influencing you. 56For the Son of Man did not come to destroy people’s souls, but to save them.” Then they went to another village.
57As they went on the way, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59He said to another man, “Follow me!”
But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61Another man also said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say good-bye to those at my home.”
62Jesus told him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
teaches that following him means leaving this world behind.
Please be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake Christian Worship 702
SERMON 1 Kings 19:19-21 What Does it Mean to Follow Christ?
Please stand
The Apostles’ Creed developed in the Early Christian Church as a personal confession of faith. It is so named because it confesses the faith taught by the Apostles of Jesus.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Please be seated
Eternal Lord, give us peace as we ponder the good news that you forgive our sins in Christ. Lead us to see clearly the path you have laid out for us.
Work in us so that we believe and live the Word we have heard today.
Provide courage and compassion to all who preach and teach your Word. Fill them with a love like yours as they proclaim your grace to us and all people.
Move us to love all ministers of the Word wherever they serve.
Guard and guide the families of our congregation. Lead husbands and wives to love each other with commitment, respect, and patience. Help parents to grasp the eternal value of keeping their children close to Jesus all their lives. Grant joy to those who are single, and make them a blessing to others.
Protect us from the temptations that surround us; give us pure hearts and minds.
Provide wisdom and insight to those who make laws and set policies. Give us respect for those who protect us from crime. Lead us to value the rights of our fellow citizens and to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Bless our land with peace and prosperity so that the gospel may be proclaimed to all.
Give us passion to share the story of your love with our family and friends. Overcome unbelief, and open the hearts of people everywhere to believe the good news that Jesus has forgiven their sins and opened the gates of heaven.
Fill us with joy over every sinner who repents and comes to trust in you.
Extend your healing power to those who are sick and suffering in body or mind. Give patience and compassion to all who care for the sick and dying.
Lift the eyes of the distressed to your love in Christ.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Gracious God, you govern and direct all things and you love all people. Hear our prayers, spoken and silent, and answer them in your wisdom and grace.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
Take My Life and Let It Be
Benjamin Culli
Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:
Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you!
—Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult
Please stand
Christian Worship 711
Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart that, being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Matthew 6 and Luke 11 record how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. We use his example prayer as part of our public worship, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers.
The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “In this way they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace. Amen.
Please be seated
CLOSING HYMN Take My Life and Let It Be
Christian Worship 695
Preacher Vicar Noah Nordlie
Worship Leader................................................................................. Pastor Ron Koehler
Accompanist Jim Bakken
Vocalist .....................................................................................................Naomi Kassulke
Greeters Sally Littau, Lois Thornton (10:00 AM)
Ushers..................................................................... Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM)
Justin Harris, Sam Kassulke, Zach Miller, Rick Street (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs...............Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
Acknowledgements:
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Chuck and Beth Johnson in thanks to God for all his blessings on their 49th wedding anniversary.
If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the Grace Central Office to reserve a Sunday. The next available dates include most of the Sundays in August. The cost for the 2 bouquets is $32.50. After the 10:00 AM service you may take the flowers home or leave them to be dropped off to one of our homebound members if a visit is being made.
Following the 10:00 AM service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard and Fellowship Hall for drinks and snacks. Thank you to Sally Littau, Nancy Miles, and Lois Thornton for hosting this morning. Upcoming available dates are August 10 & 31. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
In our Bible study this morning, Vicar Noah Nordlie will be telling us about the vicar program and his experience over this past year. Vicar Nordlie has been serving under Pastor Ryan Heiman at our Sahuarita location. At the end of July, he will return to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary to complete his final year of schooling before receiving a call into the ministry. We meet at 9:00 AM in the GraceTucson Fellowship Hall.
Calling all kids! Have you ever wondered what the grossest, messiest Bible stories are? Join us this summer as we take a look at some yucky Bible accounts and learn that God can use even the messiest moments of life to teach us some important things. Each week we will have crafts, games, an interesting lesson, snacks and a whole lot of fun in a full-group setting. Sunday School meets from 8:45 to 9:45 in the Education Building every Sunday morning. You hope you can join us! Friends are welcome too!
Last week we learned that we can always trust God by learning about Mr. Boil Popper (Job in Job chapter 2). This week we are learning that God will always meet our needs by taking a look at what happened to the Israelites in Exodus 16:1-20.
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. A new Grace Moments book with devotions that begin July 1 is now available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!
Join us on Wednesday our study of Church History. We are looking at the history of the Wisconsin Synod during the Great Depression and the World War II years. Even if you haven’t attended this class before, you are always welcome! We study together in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall at 10:00 AM and repeat the same material at 7:00 PM. Join us for whichever time fits your schedule best!
All ladies are invited to join Pastor Koehler for study and discussion of the book More Prepared to Answer (yours to keep at no cost) by Pastor Mark Paustian on Thursdays from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Each week is an individual topic so you are able to jump in and out week-toweek as your schedule allows. Our current topic, Why should I believe the Bible? will continue for a couple more weeks. Future topics include Isn’t religion discredited by science? I can’t handle your outdated view of sex. I have a mind, and this doesn’t make sense. Don’t you condemn homosexuals?” This will help us understand things better and be prepared to help others understand God’s answers.
Married couples! This Friday, June 27, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, Grace in Sahuarita will be hosting a marriage enhancement seminar. The goal of this event is to provide a fun environment for married couples to discuss some Biblical principles about marriage, build relationships with other couples, and compete against other couples in trivia! Dinner will be provided as well as childcare. If you are interested, reach out to Vicar Noah Nordlie at 248-693-0374 or vicnpn@gracelutheransaz.org.
Our Child Learning Center was assigned a teacher at the Call Service at Martin Luther College on May 17. Miss Caitlin Broehm is from Appleton, WI, and will be the Lead Teacher in the Toddler room. She will also be in the Director Training Program while she teaches. We would like to welcome Caitlin to Grace with an abundance of gift cards! Please drop them off at the reception desk at the CLC, in the Grace Central Office, or give them to any of the pastors. Caitlin’s installation will take place next Sunday, June 29, at Grace-Sahuarita during the 10:00 AM service. We are so thankful God has blessed us with a new teacher!
Our next Summer Fun Night is on Friday, July 11, at 6:00 PM. We’ll meet in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall for an Independence Day celebration! Food and drinks will be provided. Our last Summer Fun Night will take place on August 8 at 7:00 PM. Join us for a Trivia Night!
Through June, we are holding our 3rd annual food drive for the Vail Resources Food Bank. In the past, summer has brought donation shortages. Our goal is to provide some relief from these shortages and to help those families in need. Last year we collected over 475 lbs of food. Some specific items needed include: peanut butter, cereal, rice & pasta, and canned items - meats (tuna, salmon, chicken etc.), beans, soup, fruit, and vegetables. A box is available in the west end of the Fellowship Hall to collect our donations.
Are you a Thrivent member? Did you know that as a member, you have a special opportunity to support events and activities at Grace? Through the Thrivent Action Team program, you can access valuable resources - including up to $250 - to help support our congregation’s ministry and mission work.
Applying for these resources takes just a little time, and we’re here to help make the process quick and easy. If you’re a Thrivent member interested in using your membership to further support Grace, we’d love to assist you!
You may talk to any of our pastors or contact the Grace Central Office.
Cinda Drescher is Grace’s Bible-based Counselor. She is on staff at Grace and works in the counseling building located in the Grace-Tucson parking lot. She typically works at the counseling building two days each week. To schedule an appointment, it is easiest to text her at 520-581-4714 or email at Cinda@GraceLutheranSAZ.org. Because she is on staff at Grace and supported by the congregation’s Ministry Spending Plan, there is no charge for anyone who makes an appointment with her. She is happy to meet with anyone whether they are members of Grace/WELS or not. Cinda not only has a WELS Bible-based Therapist certification, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, along with certifications in Trauma and Domestic Violence.
Would you like to learn more about Jesus, our risen Savior, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what we believe and teach at Grace? Our congregation offers a series of Bible-based lessons called Grow in Grace. Grow in Grace also serves as our membership class for those who may be interested in joining the church. If you would be interested in scheduling a Grow in Grace Class, please speak to Pastor Kassulke or Pastor Koehler, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/GIG.
Today
Worship Services
This schedule is subject to change. Please watch your email for the most up-to-date information or call the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 if you have questions.
7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: My Vicar Experience 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Galatians 9:00a
Fellowship following worship
Mission to the Children Spanish Service & Meal 4:00p
Tuesday
Pastors’ Staff Meeting 2:00p Ministry Board Meeting 6:10p
Wednesday
Midweek Bible Study: Church History 10:00a & 7:00p
Thursday Women’s Bible Study: More Prepared to Answer 9:00a
Sunday, June 29
Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace.............................. 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Galatians 9:00a Fellowship following worship
Adult Bible Study: Gospel Motivation for Life 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship
NO Open Gym (resumes July 1)
June 29 Adult Bible Study: Gospel Motivation for Life 9:00a Children’s Sunday School...............................................9:00a Worship Service 10:00a
following worship VAIL
Today
Adult Bible Study: My Vocation in Christ 9:00a Worship Service ........................................................... 10:00a Potluck & Trivia following worship
Wednesday Grow in Grace Class at Civano 6:00p Thursday Midweek Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 6:30p
Sunday, June 29
Adult Bible Study: My Vocation in Christ........................ 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship
Bible Study: Psalms 8:45a Fellowship following worship
Midweek Bible Study: Book of Jonah 10:00a
June 29
Service..............................................................7:30a Adult Bible Study: Psalms 8:45a Fellowship following worship
Adult Bible Study (Tucson).............................................9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
Sunday, June 29
Adult Bible Study (Tucson).............................................9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson).......................10:00a
The fastest and easiest way to keep Grace members and friends informed about what is happening at our four sites is through our weekly email update. This email is sent every Friday and at other times when special announcements are necessary. If you have not been receiving this email, but would like to, please email the Grace Central Office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list.
Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911.
Grace-Tucson and Central Office
830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520)623-6633 office@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org
Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org
Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org
Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail
Benson
451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602
Vail
Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747
Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein revsas@gracelutheransaz.org
Office at Civano 10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631
Prayer Group—Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org
Grace-Sahuarita
75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538
Pastor Ryan A. Heiman revrah@gracelutheransaz.org
Vicar Noah Nordlie vicnpn@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center (520)848-4630 receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com
Director Laura Heiman director@gracelutheransaz.org
Assistant Director Jen Rickling jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center Mission Teachers
Maddie Nordlie, Toddlers mnordlie@gracelutheransaz.org
Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org
Theresa Pratt, Preschool tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org
Chris Leathers, Toddler/After School Care cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org
Bible-Based Counselor Cinda Drescher Office Assistant Cora Stuhr cinda@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714
Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a group of nearly 400,000 men, women, and children in nearly 1,300 congregations across the United States and Canada united by a common faith in Christ's saving love. We are committed to a common calling encouraging each other in our faith and sharing God's gift of a Savior with the rest of the world.